Practice management
Key performance indicator
A key performance indicator, or KPI, is a measurable number an owner tracks over time to judge how part of the business, such as growth or profitability, is performing.
The ADA defines key performance indicators as measurable values used by business owners to assess the business' growth, profitability and other factors. It suggests tracking a limited number at first and reassessing them at least quarterly. The ADA also advises that KPIs tied to clinical production, appointments and overhead be tracked more often, since they are the core of the practice. A KPI is only useful when it is defined the same way each time and compared with the practice's own history or a fair benchmark. Common examples appear under dental practice KPIs.